The Argentina national team doctor, Daniel Martínez, and others from the FCB Medical Services have evaluated the groin strain sustained by Leo Messi during last weekend’s league fixture away to Villarreal.

Both parties agreed that there have been considerable improvements, and the player will continue doing specific recovery exercises until he is ready to resume normal training with the rest of his team-mates.

Updates from Monday, Sept. 1

Lionel Messi will miss Argentina's forthcoming friendly with Germany, the team to whom they recently lost in the World Cup final.

Messi suffered a hip/groin problem during Barcelona's La Liga win over Villarreal, and Barcelona confirmed his withdrawal from the Argentina squad, via Fifa.com:

Leo Messi will remain in Barcelona as a precaution due to a strain in his right adductor.

Barça No10 will miss the match for peace in Rome this evening and will also not be able to participate in the match between Germany and Argentina.

Original Text

That sound you hear is the entire Barcelona fanbase holding its collective breath. Superstar Lionel Messi, arguably the world's more irreplaceable player, is reportedly dealing with a hip injury.

If Barcelona indeed takes "precautionary measures" with their superstar and Messi is forced to miss any time, the team's attacking depth becomes even thinner. Neymar is still returning to 100 percent fitness after his World Cup injury, and new signing Luis Suarez remains suspended.

The Catalans will surely be able to tread water until they get back to 100 percent up front, but this is something they never want to see. The hope is obviously that this doesn't turn into anything serious like during the 2013-14 campaign, or else returning to the top of La Liga just got a lot more difficult.